Remaining consistent
Kaleigha Ramey
November 28, 2007
The concept of Christmas is great, but as we've been told by our churches for years, it has been vastly distorted. Kids are no longer able to say "Merry Christmas" at school, and must use the term "Happy Holidays." Christ has become a no-no word. Even though most of us know the "true" story from the gospels, and perhaps should take a bigger stand against the distortion of Christmas, most of us still partake in our usual traditions.
Not to say that traditions such as Santa and stockings are wrong, I think; we must simply remember the point of any tradition or celebration is to bring attention to the everlasting gift that our God gave us.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the Christmas season. I can't wait until Thanksgiving so I can start listening to my Amy Grant Christmas CD and decorate my mini-tree. My mom still sends me an advent calendar which counts down the days of December by opening a door and finding a piece of chocolate. I hang my stocking proudly and my high-school age brothers and I still leave cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer out on Christmas Eve.
But, none of these things mean anything to me without the people who I share them with, and the remembrance that my God has given them to me, just like he gave me a shot at salvation.
So live it up. Dive deep into the Christmas season, celebrate with all the silly traditions you can think of. I would ask simply that we all remember that we couldn't have any of it without Christ.